First-year limited company checklist UK
A practical first-year checklist for UK limited company directors covering records, accounts, Corporation Tax and confirmation statements.
Last checked against official sources: 16 July 2026. General information only, not legal, tax or accounting advice.
Direct answer
In the first year of a UK limited company, track your first accounts deadline, Corporation Tax payment deadline, Company Tax Return deadline and first confirmation statement, while keeping complete company and accounting records.
Your first year is mostly about setting up clean records, checking your Companies House information, and preparing for accounts and tax deadlines before they become urgent.
The core first-year tasks
Directors must keep company records, prepare annual accounts, complete a Company Tax Return where required, file accounts and tax returns, and pay Corporation Tax when due.
The first accounts deadline is often different from later annual accounts deadlines, so it deserves a separate reminder.
What to keep evidence for
Keep sales records, receipts, bank statements, loan agreements, payroll details, dividends, expenses and any VAT records if your company is VAT registered.
A tidy first year makes the Company Tax Return easier and reduces the chance of missed information.
Practical checklist
- - Confirm company details at Companies House.
- - Record first accounts and Company Tax Return dates.
- - Record the Corporation Tax payment date.
- - Prepare a confirmation statement reminder.
- - Create a monthly admin habit for invoices, receipts and bank reconciliation.
Common mistakes
- - Treating the first accounts deadline as a normal 9-month accounts deadline.
- - Only tracking Companies House and forgetting HMRC.
- - Not keeping paperwork for director loans, expenses or dividends.
FAQs
What is the most commonly missed first-year deadline?
Many new directors confuse accounts, Corporation Tax and Company Tax Return dates because they are related but not identical.
Official sources
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